In late April and early May thirty-four sixth grade students at Idyllwild School participated in the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council fire safety and health forest education program. The course was taught by Nickie Watts, a member of the MCFSC and retired elementary school teacher.

Session 1 included an introduction to the program and brief description of MCFSC explanation of concepts to be covered:
-- Understanding the history of forests
-- How forests have changed due to fire suppression
-- New fire science research leading to "Restoration Forestry"
-- Fire management in Idyllwild
-- How we can be actively involved in returning our forest to a healthy state
-- What we need to do to make our homes, in the forest, as safe as they can be

The essay/poster contest was introduced

Students brainstormed about what the they thought constituted a "Healthy Forest."

The film "The Dynamic Forest," developed by The Temperate Forest Foundation was viewed and discussed

Big ideas were identified:
-- Change-A forest is a living changing ecosystem, dominated by trees
-- Be informed-Fire scientists have come up with new methods to return forests to a more historical natural state
-- Balance-Good Fire Management will bring about a balance between ecosystem vitality and human use

Session 2 recapped information learned in Session 1
Viewed "Two Sides of Fire" prepared by the "Temperate Forest Foundation and identified big ideas:
-- Fire Behavior Types of Fire Management (Controlled Burn, Natural Controlled Burn, Thinning and Harvesting, Replanting)
-- Forests of Tomorrow

Session 3 recapped information learned in Session 2 and discussed California's fire environment .

Discussed the following vocabulary: Ecology, Ecosystem, Topography, Wildlife/Urban Interface, Ladder Fuels, Crown Fire, Fire Suppression, Controlled Burn, Defensible Space, Biodiversity and Restoration Forestry, Cleanse and Replenish

During Session 4 students viewed a part of "Controlling Nature's Wrath" prepared by various groups including California Fire Safe Council.

Discussion focused on the CDF Command Center and how they use fire science to anticipate high fire areas and how best to pre-manage and manage wildfires.

They also focused on defensible space and landscaping and brainstormed and added to our original web of what constitutes a healthy forest.

We went over the"Homeowner's Checklist," developed by CalFire, and students were asked to complete it with their families.

A booklet entitled, "Protecting Communities and Saving Forests" prepared by "The Forest Foundation" was distributed.

Students discussed: Forest Health and Wildfire Restoration Forestry Getting Involved Students were encouraged to use this booklet, along with their notes, to write their essays and create their posters.

A brief discussion of grants available from MCFSC was held.

Session 5 was a field trip to "The Nature Center" where students saw examples of well-managed, healthy forest and fire-resistant landscaping. Students had the opportunity to plant a small seedling tree and to take one home and transplant it.

The students then wrote their essays and created posters and prizes were awarded to the best essays and posters. The best essays were then published in The Idyllwild Town Crier.